In the Closet with Monsters
In the dark, fear is a constant companion.
There was only one rule: don’t open the door. It’s a rule I made up, but Biter never wants to listen. He pushes me out of the way and jiggles the doorknob with his filthy devil’s claws just to hear the moans of fear from the other side. Even though it used to be my room on the other side of the door, Biter says little boys like me can’t make rules for things like him.
It’s better during the daytime when I’m alone. Biter comes most nights. I think he likes the game of making me mad almost as much as what happens when he does manage to get the door open. Sometimes others come, but they rarely talk to me. I am terrified of The Crooked Woman. She never speaks, but sometimes she laughs. I don’t try to stop her when she opens the door. Those are bad nights with lots of screaming and crying from the other little boy.
Rarely, The Radiant King in Wretched Repose will appear, and all I can do is cower at the back of the closet, attempting to avoid His terrible luminosity and the searching hands of the blind host that accompanies Him. Biter basks in it, growing twice as large and ten times as bold in the crimson light. They always open the door. Those are the worst nights.
Biter says if I were still alive I could banish him and the others by speaking their true names, and he taunts me by reciting them, reveling in my powerlessness.
Sometimes I break my own rule, opening the door slowly so as to not wake the little boy. I cross the dark bedroom and whisper the secret names of monsters in his ear, hoping to give him the chance I never had.
About the Creator
J. Otis Haas
Space Case
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Excellent storytelling
Original narrative & well developed characters
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
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More stories from J. Otis Haas and writers in Horror and other communities.
Jack and the Rabid Dog
Jack’s cinema vérité point of view zooms down long concrete hallways with vaulted ceilings. He races down a corridor, approaching a closed vault door guarded on either side by an armed soldier. As Jack passses between them, the older of the two turns and looks directly at him, sending shivers of terror through whatever form this is, but he passes, without resistance, through the door without any sort of alarm being sounded.
By J. Otis Haas2 years ago in Horror
Comments (14)
Congratulations very unique take on the Challenge
Congrats on your win!! 🏆
What a heartbreaking ending! Congrats on your win!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Somehow, this feels like a darker where the wild things are.
Great story! Very well-written.
Back to say congrats for Top Story!!! This was superbly written!
wow so much written in so few words! This is amazing talent, I must admit. There is a deeper and more complex story behind all that monster talk. Ugh.. the boy without chances or something, what really happened to him? I have so many questions..
well written, lovely story👌
I just finished reading "In the Closet with Monsters," and I wanted to share how much I enjoyed it! Your storytelling is both captivating and chilling, creating a perfect blend of suspense and horror. The way you brought the closet to life as a character in itself was incredibly creative and added a unique twist to the narrative. I loved how you explored the themes of fear and vulnerability, making the reader reflect on their own experiences. Your vivid descriptions and the buildup of tension kept me on the edge of my seat. I’d love to know what inspired you to write this piece and if there are any personal experiences behind it. Looking forward to reading more of your work! Best, Jason
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I hear a personal voice here, a personal ring to this story. I like that it's conversational, there's something about it that I can't put my finger on. But I know I am scared to read further. Yeah, I was right. This scared the hell out of me. So much so that I have to question you, who are you and why do you write so well? You don't have to answer that, I am just in awe. I love it!!!
Holy hell, this is fabulous. Well done and congrats on the TS.
Fantastic! So far my favorite entry!